ABSTRACT
Background: The weight of the foetus is an important factor to consider when determining the outcome of pregnancy. The birth weight is reliable in predicting perinatal outcome. Excessive and low weights of the baby are associated with increased risk of newborn complications during labour, delivery and postpartum. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between estimated foetal weight and maternal renal dimensions and volume in normal pregnant women in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: This prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Radiology Departments of the two tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, from July to December, 2021. Sonographic assessments of estimated foetal weight and the maternal renal dimensions and volume in 400 consecutive normal pregnant women in both tertiary institutions were done, after obtaining written informed consent from them. Data were entered into a pre-designed proforma, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for windows� version 25, (SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA). Results were presented in frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables.Results: A total of 400 pregnant women were scanned. There was a valid relationship between right renal antero-posterior diameter (?= 0.32; p �010), right renal width (?= 0.32; p �007), right renal volume (?= 0.32; p �007) and estimated foetal weight. The left renal width and renal volume showed the same trend as the right parameters with slight differences in values.Conclusions: This study revealed that estimated foetal weight increased with increase in maternal renal volume and dimensions.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The measurement of fetal umbilical blood flow using Doppler ultrasound is a well-established tool in the management of high-risk pregnancies and has resulted in improved outcome. However, there is paucity of data concerning the normal parameters in Nigeria. This study is aimed at assessing the fetal umbilical artery indices in pregnant Nigerian women. Methods: This was a cross sectional prospective study carried out at the Niger delta uni-versity teaching hospital, silhouette radio diagnostic consultants Yenagoa and federal medical centre. A total of 400 pregnant women between the gestational ages of 20 –40 weeks were evaluated within a one-year period using a 2014 Philips HD 11 ultrasound machine equipped with a 3.5Mhz curvilinear probe having colour, pulsed wave and power Doppler facilities. Results: The mean age and BMI were 30 ± 6 years and 29.9±5.76 kg/m2respectively while the mean umbilical artery systolic velocity and end diastolic velocities were 40.07± 8.99m/s and 17.44±6.37m respective-ly. The mean resistivity index (RI) is 0.57. There was a negative correlation of RI with Gestational age (P<0.05). Con-clusion: Fetal umbilical artery Doppler parameters are essential tool in management of high-risk pregnancies and has resulted in an improved outcome. This study is to serve as a baseline for further studies with a larger sample size.